Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government policy with respect to the future of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29345/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The difficult and sensitive issue of Kosovo's future status is the legacy of the Balkan wars of the 1990s. The framework for post-conflict Kosovo was set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1244 which established an interim United Nations civilian administration and authorised an international security presence, Kosovo Force, KFOR. The resolution also provided for a gradual transfer of competence from the United Nations civilian administration mission to provisional institutions of self-government.

In November 2005 the former Finnish President, Martti Ahtisaari, was appointed as the UN Secretary General's special envoy to lead the political process to determine the future status of Kosovo in a final settlement. Following more than one year of consultations and direct talks with the parties, Mr. Ahtisaari submitted his comprehensive proposal to the Secretary General in March this year. He recommended that Kosovo's status should be independent and supervised by the international community. The proposal includes detailed provisions concerning the promotion and protection of the rights of communities and their members. A key element of the proposed settlement would be a continuing international civilian and military presence in Kosovo, with the KFOR military force remaining and a new civilian European Security and Defence Policy, ESDP, mission created.

Ireland welcomed this proposal but, regrettably, intensive efforts within the UN Security Council to agree on a new resolution on the basis of the Ahtisaari proposals ended in failure. On 1 August the Secretary General announced that an international troika would facilitate a further four months of direct talks between Belgrade and Pristina. No agreement has yet been found and the Troika is due to report to the UN Secretary General on the outcome of these talks on 10 December.

During his recent visit to the Balkans the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, met leaders in Belgrade and Pristina. He expressed Ireland's strong support for the troika process and urged both parties to take a constructive approach to try to find an agreed solution.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

It was clear from these discussions that the positions of the two sides remained diametrically opposed. We hope the talks may yet produce a positive outcome, but if they do not, we recognise that difficult choices will need to be made which deal with the reality of the situation on the ground.

With our partners in the European Union and the international community, Ireland is ready to play its full part in the efforts to resolve this important European issue. Since August we have increased our commitment to KFOR to 270 troops, following our assumption of command of task force centre which covers the capital Pristina and the surrounding area. While we will face a more complex and uncertain political and legal environment in the event that there is no agreement on final status, we very much hope to be in a position to maintain our presence in KFOR, to consider contributing members of the Garda to an ESDP mission and to support the future economic development of Kosovo.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State but I am not fully satisfied with his reply; perhaps there is more information in the part he did not read out. What is the Government's policy on the future status of Kosovo? The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, stated Europe would be united on the issue. Will there be agreement on it by 10 December? Will there be a united European position? It is probable that a unilateral declaration of independence will be made in Kosovo. Will the Government support it? What will be the implications for Irish participation in KFOR of the probable unilateral declaration?

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding the speculation alluded to by the Deputy, agreement will be difficult to reach and if it is not reached, hard choices will have to be made. Ireland is ready to play a full part in efforts to resolve this issue with our European partners and the international community. Since August we have increased our presence on the ground; 270 troops are now attached to KFOR and Ireland has taken command of the task force centre.

The Deputy mentioned our position on the UN resolution. It is clear that, in the absence of a new resolution, there will be complex political and legal issues to be considered by member states. To answer another of the Deputy's questions, I hope the European Union will adopt a single cohesive approach because to do otherwise would be damaging. Like other member states, we will have to reflect carefully on all the issues that arise and prepare to deal with whatever situation will face us. We do not wish to be diverted by speculation and are committed, not only because 270 troops are on the ground but because we have made a commitment to put members of the Garda Síochána in place. One hopes sanity will prevail.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Is it fair to assume, based on the Minister of State's response, that the Government does not have a position on the future status of Kosovo? It appears that the only solution comes under the European Union's umbrella. An indication could be given to Serbia that it will eventually gain EU membership and that Kosovo's declaration of independence will be recognised. Does the Minister of State have a view on this? I would like to agree with him that a united EU front is possible on this issue but I do not believe it is. There has been much procrastination on the matter. As we face a stumbling block, it is important that the Government outlines its position.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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If the European Union sticks together between now and 10 December and makes its expectation clear to the parties in the region, this will be far better than independent speculation. The Government is committed to finding a solution and sees this as a European problem that must be solved by Europeans. The best way for the European Union to make a concrete contribution is to stick together.